TASMANIA’S Salvation Army says the welfare organisation has seen a 30 per cent ­increase in demand in the past 12 months.

Launching the Salvo’s ­annual doorknock in Hobart today, communications and fundraising Tasmanian secretary Craig Wood said the increased demand had been fuelled by a new category of people seeking help – the working poor.

The Red Shield Appeal, which runs year round, usually raises $200,000 to $250,000 to help provide emergency services, like food, financial assistance, counselling and budget counselling to people in need.

But Capt Wood is concerned about the growth in ­demand for these services.

“The last 12 months has seen a 30 per cent increase in demand,” Capt Wood told the Sunday Tasmanian.

“Of those people, about 35 per cent are new clients of the Salvation Army.

“These are people earning the minimum wage or are casual workers who are finding themselves just not able to cope with the demands of food prices, electricity and petrol so they are forced into a situation where they need to see us.”

Capt Wood said lifestyle choices such as gambling, ­alcohol and drugs were also contributing to demand.

Red Shield Appeal doorknockers will be out in force all over the state this weekend.

Tasmanians keen to donate will also find Salvation Army volunteers at the Hobart Airport, K&D Warehouse sites across greater Hobart, the Brisbane St mall in Launceston, Bunnings and Centro in Burnie and Woolworths and Mitre 10 in Devonport.